MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday destroyed a total of PHP 5,968,744,462.01 worth of dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, Cavite.
According to PDEA, the destroyed drug stockpile had a total weight of 1,019,204.7581 grams, majority of which were 471,478.0639 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), 312,993.9424 grams of marijuana, and 208,909.00 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone, seized from various anti-drug operations.
This included the prompt destruction of 274 kilograms of shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Oct. 6, 2023; and the 208 kilograms of Dimethyl Sulfone, a shabu extender, that was recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Aug. 25, 2023.
“The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis, which involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat. At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are decomposed or broken down,’’ PDEA said in a statement.
“The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs under Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002,’’ it added.
Representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local officials of Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, representatives from the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations and media partners together with key PDEA officials witnessed the said activity.
Seven months ago, PDEA orchestrated the destruction of 3.7 tons of dangerous drugs worth PHP19.9 billion in Cavite, making the “unprecedented event” the largest in terms of volume and value of drugs destroyed in the country’s history of drug law enforcement. (PNA)
